Episode 209 – Valerie Bowden – Missing The African Market Is Missing A Huge Opportunity

How To Make A Great Social Impact with Valerie Bowden  As an entrepreneur, you don’t need to do great projects to make a difference or impact people’s lives. You can have an amazing social impact now by just hiring and sourcing products ethically from emerging markets, such as African entrepreneurs and talents. By doing this, your business will become more sustainable, stronger, and more competitive, and you will be creating jobs where jobs are desperately needed. This is a win-win deal that will enable you to make a difference. Start by looking at your business to see what positions can be remote and help you increase your DEI and start small. In this episode, Valerie Bowden shares her experience living and working in Ethiopia and how you can make a difference and get better results, talents, and products from Africa.   With over a decade of experience living in East Africa, Valerie has helped some of the most recognisable brands in the world do business and investment in Africa. She is the founder of CRDLE, a marketplace that connects the world to African brands, farmers, and innovators. She helps people source products and fill remote positions with talent from Africa. Her advice and experience in African countries have been featured on PBS, Huffington Post, NBC News, Yahoo, and the Washington Post. Before launching her career, she backpacked the entire length of Africa by herself. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights from the Episode; [00:00] Episode intro, a quick bio of the guest, Valerie Bowden [03:15] The coffee Valerie is drinking and why  [06:06] CRDLE; the story behind it and what inspired its formation  [10:00] The perceptions of Africa that Valerie wants to help people break down  [12:34] Lessons Valerie learned from her 8 years stay in Ethiopia  [14:28] How Valerie helps businesses with the acquisition of African Talents and products  [18:05] The most significant thing that Valerie has developed in her business recently [21:16] Why working with partners from Africa might be your secret source   [22:32] How to reach out and find out more about what Valerie is doing   [27:04] Payment guilt and how to overcome it when hiring from emerging markets  [29:44] Tips on how to make an amazing social impact now  [31:00] Two key takeaways from the guest that you can implement today [33:56] Valerie’s next coffee destination in Malawi and the book she would be reading [35:47] Wrap-up and end of the show  Notable Quotes * Sometimes we’re so busy doing things that we miss life. Slowing down and putting people first makes you more human. * Working with African partners is your secret source, no matter how big or small you are.* If people are taking it, it’s out of choice, and it’s an opportunity for them.  * Stop asking for permission and start cleaning and creating your life.* Your business is 80% your subconscious beliefs and 20% about what you do.  Resources Mentioned  * The Audacity To Be Clean by Geena Davis  Let’s Connect Valerie Bowden Website: https://www.crdle.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.